Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1887-04-01
THE BASILISK.
A STORY OF TO-DAY.
CHAPTER xxx.
THE BIRDS HAVE FLOWN.

A0Es 0lbOS HAVE FLOWN Il.
The darkness which settled over ali
things after the explosion, was appall
Ing. My senses seemed numbed by it.
and ! lay helpless. while the echoes OF
the crasn went booming in my ears,
IKE great rings when stone has been
hurled into stin water. picked my
self up, and found that was unhurt.
The Basilisk's diabolical project, which
had the cab been few minutes earlier,
would undoubtedly have compassed my
destruction, filed me with fierce de-
termination of revenge. I had escaped
them. They should not escape me.
But Mary! Still in the power OF
Plowitz. Ny first caremust be for her.
The explosion would gather people to-
gether. The police would soon be on
the spot. could not spare the timet to
be subjected to the enquiries of the
police. must get back to Shaw unob-
served, and prosecute to the utmost our
endeavors to trace Mary.
As got farther away from the scene
Of the explosion I began to collect my
thoughts. felt perfect conviction
that the first note was genuine, that
Mary was away, and that Plowitz de-
signed removing her to the Continent,
via Harwich. The second note felt
convinced likewise was design of the
Basilisk to do away with witness of
the unlawful doings of her home, to
syenge herself on rival, and to punish
with death one who had refused her
profered love. l scrambled and Stun
bled along, making through hedges and
over the railway bank for the spot
where had left the cab. I found it
gone as I imagined would be the case.
The driver was doubtless one of the
Basilisk's myrmidons disguised. Yes!
There had seemed to be something
familiar to me in his voice, disguised as
he was. It was Grimes! With all the
haste I could make, consistently with
safety. Ipushed my way across country,
anxious only to avoid observation and
delay. Once I got nearer the road
than I had thought, and crouched close
while hurrying feet and eager voices
passed. Then the sound of horses
hoofs came nearer at a furious pace.
and a fire-engine, with its comet-ike
trail of flying sparks, went laundering
down the road toward Frognal. Once
or twice I thought I had lost my bear
mgs, but soon recovered them by COM
ing unexpectedly upon the hedge that
bordered the highway; but knew the
general direction pretty well by this
time, and finally gained the road. not
more than q mile from ST. Bartimeus's
sitter an arduous cross-country journey,
unobserved. I found Shaw waiting up
in much anxiety.
ssYou are safe! What was that ex-
plosion?" was his immediate enquiry.
Hanover Lodge I said. II was
destined to be one of the victims if not
the only one"
Shaw stood petrifed with astonish.
nent.
''Good Heayensr' exclaimed, as
new thought struck me. '.Suppose
they have left her there to perish?"
my dear Coplestone, that is utterly
improbable, said Shaw very decidedly.
1.-The second note was doubtless a trick
10 compass your destruction; but there
was Plowik to be reckoned with about
Miss Fortescue, and it would suit the
Rasihsk far more to leave her in the
power of man she loathes than to put
her suddenly to death.''
That was indeed true, and I took
courage.
"Come," said he; Eat eleven we have
TO see Inspector Rosebush again. It is
still early. Take a little rest, and we
viii soon be on the track again in good
earnest" ~
For q while I slept profoundly, and in
due time we set ont once more for
Scotland Yard.
Inspector Rosebush received Us with
IN empressment which showed that he
attached no less importance now to our
case than he had on first getting q clue
to the identity OF Plowitz.
'fhey could not have got away last
night-thatis certain" he said. s.They
have not been traced yet, and haven't
gone by any of the earl boats; but the
longer they remain in England, the
more impossible is it for them to get
away unobserved. They will cross this
evening"
This he said after reading the note
from Mrs. Hardy, which he retained,
without making any observation upon
it whatever.
There was moments silence, after
which tho Inspector handed me brief
official report of the destruction OF Han
over Lodge, and the presumed death of
Ill the inmates Hooked at Mr.. Rose
bush when I had read the report.
There was . strange look of incredulity
on his features.
THAT 10 . curious coincidence" he
sid drily.
I thaa told him of my accidental
6entifoation Of the Basiisk in tho cab,
and showed him the second note.
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